Ferric Chloride Mediated Synthesis, Photophysical and In vitro anti-Alzheimer Properties of 1H-Pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl)methyl)phenyl)-2-(9H-fluoren-9-ylidene)-1-phenylethan-1-imines

Abstract

Among several Lewis acids tested, ferric chloride has emerged as an efficient Lewis acid catalyst for the reaction of 9-fluorene propargylic alcohols with 2-(7-azaindole-3-methelene) aniline as the nucleophile, affording various substituted 7-azaindole-appended 2-(9H-fluoren-9-ylidene)-1-phenylethan-1-imine derivatives in good yield. Scope, limitations of the reaction, and a plausible mechanism are provided. Photophysical properties and a detailed bioactivity were evaluated for selected derivatives. All the selected compounds exhibited two emissions in the blue region, and one of the synthesized compounds have shown better AchE activity against amyloid beta-induced Neur-2a cells, indicating excellent anti-Alzheimer's activity.